Enjoy a Swift Night Out with Michigan Audubon on Friday, September 18th or Monday, September 21st and celebrate urban wildlife at Smith Floral & Greenhouses by watching Chimney Swifts come in to roost.

This free, family-friendly event features an amazing spectacle at dusk, when hundreds of Chimney Swifts flock together in a tornado-like formation, flying in increasingly tighter circles before dropping into the chimney where they roost for the night.

These urban birds have suffered a steep population decline in recent decades due to loss of habitat, insecticide use, climate change, and more. Information on how you can help this species, including citizen science projects, will be available at the event.

Of course, in true birdwatching fashion, we wait with bated breath each evening—because swifts are wild creatures, and they don’t always RSVP. But that just makes the moment they do appear even more thrilling! Please bring a chair if you would like to sit while watching.

The event begins at 7:30 p.m. with time to chat with fellow bird lovers and ask Michigan Audubon’s Conservation Manager, Chad Machinski, M.S., all your swift-related questions—he’ll be on hand to share his knowledge and enthusiasm! Most Chimney Swift activity will start just before sunset and continue through dusk.

Please meet at the Smith Floral & Greenhouses’ parking lot at 1124 E. Mt. Hope Ave., Lansing, MI 48910.

*ALTERNATE ROUTE DUE TO CONSTRUCTION – Access from Mt. Hope may not be available during this event. Please visit our site for directions and detour updates.

If you have any questions, please contact Michigan Audubon Conservation Manager Chad Machinski at [email protected] or 517-580-7564 or Kristy Taylor, Events & Outreach Manager at [email protected]